Major Uses of Radioisotopes

Used in many smoke detectors for homes and businesses…

Americum-241 to measure levels of toxic lead in dried paint samples…to
ensure uniform thickness in rolling processes like steel and
paper production…and to help determine where oil wells
should be drilled.

Used to analyze metal alloys for checking stock, scrap sorting

Cadmium-109
Important aid to biomedical researchers studying the
Calcium-47 cellular functions and bone formation in mammals.

Used to inspect airline luggage for hidden explosives…to

Californium-252 gauge the moisture content of soil in the road construction
and building industries…and to measure the moisture of
materials stored in soils.

Major research tool. Helps in research to ensure that

Carbon-14 potential new drugs are metabolized without forming
harmful by-products. Used in biological research, agriculture,
pollution control, and archeology.

Used to treat cancerous tumors…to measure correct patient

Cesuim-137 dosages of radioactive pharmaceuticals…to measure and
control the liquid flow in oil pipelines…to tell researchers
whether oil wells are plugged by sand…and to ensure
the right fill level for packages of food, drugs, and other
products. (The products in these packages do not become
radioactive.)

Used in research in red blood cell survival studies.

Chromium-51
Used as a tracer to diagnose pernicious anemia
Cobalt-57
 Used to sterilize surgical instruments…and to improve the
Cobalt-60 safety and reliability of industrial fuel oil burners. Used in
cancer treatment, food irradiation, gauges, and radiography.

When injected with monoclonal antibodies into a cancer

Copper-67 patient, helps the antibodies bind to and destroy the tumor.

Used in mining to analyze material excavated from pits…and

Curium-244 slurries from drilling operations.

Used in medical diagnosis

Gallium-67
Widely used to diagnose thyroid disorders and other
Iodine-123 metabolic disorders including brain function.

Major diagnostic tool used in clinical tests and to diagnose

Iodine-125 thyroid disorders. Also used in biomedical research.

Major diagnostic tool used in clinical tests and to diagnose

Iodine-129 thyroid disorders. Also used in biomedical research.

Used to treat thyroid disorders. (Graves’s disease)

Iodine-131
Used to test the integrity of pipeline welds, boilers and
Iridium-192 aircraft parts and in brachytherapy/tumor irradiation

Used to analyze electroplating solutions and to detect the

Iron-55 presence of sulphur in the air. Used in metabolism research.

Used in indicator lights in appliances such as clothes

Krypton-85 washers and dryers, stereos, and coffeemakers…to
gauge the thickness of thin plastics and sheet metal,
rubber, textiles and paper…and to measure dust and
pollutant levels.
Used to detect explosives, and in voltage regulators and
current surge protectors in electronic devices, and in
electron capture detectors for gas chromatographs.

Used to detect explosives, and in voltage regulators and

Nickel-63 current surge protectors in electronic devices, and in
electron capture detectors for gas chromatographs.
 Used in molecular biology and genetics research.
Phosphorus-32
Used in molecular biology and genetics research.
Phosphorus-33
Has powered more than 20 NASA spacecraft since 1972
Plutonium-238
Reduces the static charge in production of photographic film
Polonium-210 and other materials

Used in electric blanket thermostats…and to gauge the

Promethium-147 thickness of thin plastics, thin sheet metal, rubber, textile
and paper.

Makes lighting rods more effective

Radium-226
Used in protein studies in life science research.
Selenium-75
Used to locate leaks in industrial pipe lines…and in oil well
Sodium-24 studies.

Used to study bone formation and metabolism.

Strontium-85
Used in survey meters by schools, the military and
Strontium-90 emergency management authorities. Also used in cigarette
manufacturing sensors and medical treatment.

Used in genetics and molecular biology research.

Sulphur-35
The most widely used radioactive pharmaceutical for
Technetium-99m diagnostic studies in nuclear medicine. Different chemical
forms are used for brain, bone, liver, spleen and kidney
imaging and also for blood flow studies.

Used in nuclear medicine for nuclear cardiology and

Thallium-201 tumor detection.

Measures the dust and pollutant levels on filter paper…and

Thallium-204 gauges the thickness of plastics, sheet metal, rubber, textiles
and paper.
 Used in electric arc welding rods in construction, aircraft,
Thoriated Tungsten petrochemical and food processing equipment industries.
They produce easier starting, greater arc stability and less
metal contamination.

Helps fluorescent lights last longer.

Thorium-229
Provides coloring and fluorescence in colored glazes
Thorium-230 and glassware

Major tool for biomedical research. Used for life science and
Tritium drug metabolism studies to ensure the safety of potential
new drugs…for self-luminous aircraft and commercial exit
signs…for luminous dials, gauges and wrist watches…to
produce luminous paint, and for geological prospecting
and hydrology.

Used in dental fixtures like crowns and dentures to provide a

Uranium-234 natural color and brightness.

Fuel for nuclear power plants and naval nuclear propulsion

Uranium-235 systems…and used to produce fluorescent glassware, a
variety of colored glazes and wall tiles.

Used in nuclear medicine for lung ventilation and blood

Xenon-133 flow studies.